Collaborating With Other Organizations (Hire360)

  • Hire360 collaborates with many organizations to fulfill its mission:
    • Hire360 collaborates with the Chicago Federation of Workforce and Community Initiative to complete the paperwork that is associated with the incentives that employers receive. Both organizations are co-located, allowing for rapid information exchange and a dedicated team that works to ease the administrative burden on contractors. 
    • To maximize the reach of new projects, Hire360 frequently hosts joint events with contractor assistance agencies, such as Black Contractors United, Black Contractors Owners & Executives,  Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA), and Unidos. These events often focus on positioning MWBEs for major contracts.
    • Through a privately raised Barrier Reduction Fund, Hire360 provides financial support for new apprentices, regardless of whether they were originally recruited by Hire360 or a partner organization. This funding helps cover the cost of tools, boots, and other essential equipment, ensuring that financial hurdles do not prevent qualified community members from entering the trades.
    • Hire360 actively pursues joint grant applications with partner organizations. This can be challenging as many organizations have their own interests, however Hire360 works diligently to find overlap and connections within the ecosystem, as there are many opportunities to build long-term strategies.

This content is based on interviews or email correspondence with Jay Rowell in 2026. This content has been approved by the organization in 2026